This document provides an overview of reverse mortgages. It explains that a reverse mortgage allows homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow against their home equity and receive payments instead of making payments. The document outlines eligibility requirements, how much can be borrowed, payment options, interest rates, and the loan repayment process. It also summarizes the steps involved in obtaining a reverse mortgage, including education, counseling, application, processing, underwriting, and closing. Common questions about reverse mortgages are addressed.

1. Your Reverse
Mortgage Guide
Prepared by Michael Pinter
First Meridian Mortgage
718-906-6132
mpinter@fmm.com

2. Contents
Make the Most of These Years………………………………………3
Program Overview………………………………………………………..3-4
• What Is A Reverse Mortgage?
• Why Take a Reverse Mortgage?
• How Does it Differ from a Traditional Loan?
• Three Essential Facts
Loan Specifics……………………………………………………………..4-5
• Eligibility Requirements
• How Much Can Be Borrowed?
• Payment Options
• Interest Rate
• Loan Repayment
• Effect on Other Benefits
TheReverse Mortgage Process……………………………………..6-8
• Education
• Counseling
• Application
• Processing
- Appraisal
- Insurance
• Underwriting
• Closing
Questions and Answers…………………………………………………9
Mortgage Terminology………………………………………………….10-12
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3. Make the Most of These Years
Homeownership is likely the most important wealth-building move that you made in your
lifetime. When you start to get older and your income flow changes, the home equity that
you’ve built over the years can serve as a resource to provide financial security and peace
of mind. If you are a homeowner 62 or older, looking for a way to manage your expenses,
preserve your legacy, and promote your peace of mind; a reverse mortgage may be the
solution for you
Program Overview
What is a Reverse Mortgage?
A reverse mortgage allows you to borrow against the equity you’ve established in your
home. Instead of making monthly payments, you can choose to receive them. That’s the
“reverse” part of a reverse mortgage. To be eligible, you must be 62 or older and own
your home. If you have an existing loan, it must have a balance that can be paid off with
the proceeds of the reverse mortgage.
You may want to consult with a tax advisor to confirm this, but in most cases, a reverse
mortgage gives you the funds tax-free, though it may impact your eligibility of some
needs-based benefits.
Why Get a Reverse Mortgage?
There are no restrictions on how you may use the proceeds received from a reverse
mortgage. You can direct the funds toward a variety of purposes, including:
• Eliminating your existing mortgage and payments
• Supplementing your retirement income
• Remodeling or repairing your home
• Paying property taxes or any other outstanding debt
• Covering healthcare expenses
• Planning for long-term care needs
You can even use your reverse mortgage funds to purchase a second or vacation home.
How Does it Differ from a Traditional Home Loan?
With a traditional mortgage or home equity loan, homeowners qualify based on their
credit history and income. They borrow money, which requires making monthly
payments. With a reverse mortgage, your home can make payments to you and in all
cases; it is available regardless of your income, assets or credit.
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4. Three Essential Facts
Making an educated decision begins with addressing common misconceptions that keep
many senior homeowners from even looking into the advantages of a reverse mortgage.
Contrary to what you may have heard – as long as all property tax, insurance and
maintenance requirements are met:
1. You cannot owe more than the value of the home
2. You retain title on the property – The bank does not “get” the house
3. You receive payments instead of making them. Please ask your reverse
mortgage consultant for details about when repayment is due.
Loan Specifics
Eligibility Requirements
Reverse mortgage eligibility requirements are quite simple. There are no income,
employment, asset, credit or medical restrictions.
• All homeowners must be age 62 or older at closing and occupy the property as
their primary residence.
• If there is an existing mortgage; the home must have a remaining mortgage
balance that can be paid off with the reverse mortgage.
• The property must be a single family, two to four unit, townhome, condominium,
Co-op or planned unit development (PUD.)
• The home must meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
minimum property standards. In some cases, if necessary, repairs can be made
after a reverse mortgage closing.
How Much Can be Borrowed?
Maximum reverse mortgage loan amounts are based on the following factors:
• The age of the youngest homeowner
• The appraised value of the home
• The current interest rate
• The locally established HUD lending limit
In general, the older you are, the more your home is worth, and the lower the interest rate,
the more you’ll be able to borrow. Ask your reverse mortgage consultant for specific
details.
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5. Payment Options
Reverse Mortgage borrowers have differing needs. Some would rather receive their entire
loan amount up front, while others prefer a steady monthly stream of funds to supplement
their income. Regardless of how you choose to receive your proceeds, you can adjust
your plan as often as you wish to accommodate changing needs.
You have several options to receive your reverse mortgage proceeds; they are available to
you in the following distribution options:
• Lump Sum – A specific amount is made immediately available (often used to
pay off an existing mortgage.)
• Term – Funds are released in set monthly payments for a set number of months
determined by the borrower.
• Tenure – Loan proceeds are distributed in equal monthly allotments for as long
as at least one homeowner continues to occupy the home as a primary residence.
• Line of Credit – Funds remain available for the homeowner to draw on as
needed.
• Combination – Any combination of lump sum, monthly payments, or line of
credit distributions.
Interest Rate
We offer both fixed and variable rate reverse mortgages. In most variable rate cases, your
rate will change monthly. Interest rate changes will have no effect on the number of loan
advances you can receive, but they cause your loan balance to grow at a faster or slower
pace.
Loan Repayment
You do not need to repay the loan as long as you or one of the borrowers continues to
remain in the home as your primary residence, keep the taxes and insurance current, and
maintain the property to HUD standards. The balance due can come from home sale
proceeds or from other sources, such as savings, insurance or possibly from a new
mortgage. There is no requirement that the home be sold, only that the loan be repaid.
Please ask your reverse mortgage consultant for more detail about when repayment is
due.
Effect on Other Benefits
Reverse mortgage loan proceeds are not considered income and will not affect Social
Security or Medicare benefits. However, receiving reverse mortgage advances could
affect your eligibility for some public assistance programs that are based on need.
Consult a local attorney to determine how – or if – your reverse mortgage distributions
might impact your specific situation.
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6. The Reverse Mortgage Process
Education
The process of getting a reverse mortgage begins with the phase you are in now. You are
taking the time to get information and learn more about this kind of home financing to
determine if it is right for you.
Application
Your reverse mortgage consultant will help you complete and sign your application
package. Shortly after the application is submitted, you will receive a disclosure that
outlines your total estimated loan cost.
Counseling
Reverse mortgage applicants are required to participate in a consumer education session
with a HUD approved counselor over the phone or in person. Family members and any
other advisors are welcome to accompany you or to listen in. The counselor will explain
the legal and financial obligations of a reverse mortgage and discuss other financing
alternatives to help ensure you make the right decision.
Processing
Appraisal
We will arrange for a professional appraiser to contact you to schedule an appraisal that
will determine the value of your home. The appraisal will be used to calculate the amount
you can receive from your reverse mortgage. Once your appraisal is completed, your
appraisal report will be reviewed to ensure that your home meets minimum HUD
guidelines.
Homeowners Insurance
We require that your homeowner’s insurance policy provides for loss/settlement on a
replacement cost basis. In the event that replacement coverage is not available, your
home must be insured at the maximum dwelling coverage limit allowable for your
property. We will verify your coverage with your insurance agent. At that time, your
homeowners insurance will also be updated, with your authorization, to reflect the new
lender as the first mortgagee on your policy or condo certificate of insurance.
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7. Title Insurance
There are two types of title insurance. One protects the lender and one protects the
homeowner. Together, the coverage protects you and your lender from claims against
ownership of or other liens on the property, which might be made by:
• Undisclosed spouses
• Heirs of previous owners
• Creditors holding liens against previous owners
• Any other parties
You will be required to pay for a title policy at closing that covers your reverse mortgage
lender’s interest in the property. This is part of your closing costs.
Underwriting
Once your appraisal is approved, a value has been determined, and the title report has
been cleared, an underwriter will review your loan and supporting documentation to
make certain that approval conditions have been met and then issue the clearance to close
the loan. If additional approval items are required, you will be notified by your reverse
mortgage consultant or loan specialist. If all approval conditions have been met, your
loan is now ready to close.
Closing
Processing and underwriting your reverse mortgage generally takes four to eight weeks
before you are ready to close. Your closing must be coordinated with many parties, which
may include: you, your lender, your lender’s attorney, your attorney, and the title
company representative.
Before the Closing – Your reverse mortgage consultant will help you go through a loan
closing checklist to make sure the following items are in order:
• Closing costs and escrow amounts – Your Good Faith Estimate may not include
all closing costs such as interim interest or property taxes that are due. You will
need to finalize your actual costs with the closing agent to avoid surprises.
• Acceptable method of payment – In almost all cases, all closing costs are
financed as part of the reverse mortgage
• Any additional items needed – Usually photo ID is required at the closing as
well as other miscellaneous documents. This is the time to gather all of the
paperwork that may be required at closing.
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8. At Closing Time – Reverse mortgage closings typically take place in your home. The
loan documents, including the mortgage or deed of trust, are forwarded to you to. Read
and sign as instructed, and pay any applicable closing costs from the proceeds. Any funds
disbursed to you will be forwarded several days after the closing.
After the Closing – As a reverse mortgage client, you have responsibilities similar to
those associated with a traditional mortgage, such as:
• Paying your property taxes
• Keeping your insurance coverage up to date
• Maintaining the home
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9. Questions and Answers
Q. Do I qualify for a reverse mortgage if I have an existing loan on my home?
A. Yes, but the existing loan must be paid off prior to or at your reverse mortgage
closing. Quite often, a reverse mortgage is used to pay off and existing loan.
Q. My property is held in a living trust. Can I qualify for a reverse mortgage?
A. Yes, as long as you are the primary trustee, are 62 or older and the trust meets the
lender’s guidelines.
Q. My children and I own the property jointly. Do we qualify?
A. Yes, if the children are 62 or older and live in the property OR if they deed the
property to you at closing.
Q. Does the IRS consider monthly reverse mortgage advances as income?
A. No. The reverse mortgage advances are actually loan distributions and are not
considered income. Consult your tax advisor for more information.
Q. Are manufactured homes eligible?
A. Yes. The home must have been built after June 15, 1976, placed on an FHA-approved
permanent foundation for a minimum of one year, and meet minimum HUD property
standards.
Q. My spouse is permanently living in a nursing home. Can we get a reverse
mortgage?
A. Yes. Only one owner is required to occupy the property as a primary residence. Please
ask your mortgage consultant for more details about this.
Q. Are there restrictions on how I can use my reverse mortgage proceeds?
A. Absolutely not! It’s your money to use as you see fit.
Q. Can the lender take my home away if I outlive my loan term?
A. No! Moreover, you do not need to repay the loan as long as you or one of the
borrowers continues to live in the home, keep the taxes and insurance current and
maintain the property to HUD standards.
Q. Will I still have an estate to leave to my heirs?
A. Any remaining equity belongs to you or your heirs. None of your other assets will be
affected by the reverse mortgage. Your heirs will be able to choose whether to keep or
sell the house. Please ask your mortgage consultant for more details about repayment.
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10. Mortgage Terminology
Appraisal – A report written by a qualified professional that states an opinion on the
value of a property based on its characteristics and the selling prices of similar or
comparable properties in the area.
Appreciation – An increase in the value of a property due to changes in market
conditions.
Clear Title – Ownership of the property that is free of liens and legal questions as to
ownership of the property.
Closing – The final step after a lender approved the loan. The event when a borrower
signs the documents and closing costs are paid. Also referred to as “settlement.”
Closing Agent – Usually an attorney or title agency representative who oversees the
closing and witnesses the signing of the closing documents.
Closing Costs – The costs to obtain a loan. Closing costs cover all services and charges,
such as title search and insurance, appraisals, surveys, credit reports, taxes recording fees,
etc. that are all necessary to complete a transaction.
Counseling Session – This session given by a HUD-approved counselor can take place n
person or over the phone. The purpose is to explain the financial implications of
obtaining a reverse mortgage and the alternatives.
Credit Report – A report issued by an independent agency that contains information
about the applicant’s credit history and current credit standing.
Deed of Trust – Also known as a “mortgage.” This is the legal document that serves as
the lien on the home.
Equity – Your ownership interest, or the portion of the value of the property that exceeds
what you owe. For example if the property is worth $100,000 and you have a loan on it
for $75,000, then you have $25,000 or 25% equity in the property.
Good Faith Estimate - A document that tells mortgage borrowers the approximate costs
they will pay at or before closing.
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) – The most popular type of reverse
Mortgage. It is insured by the Federal Home Authority (FHA)
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11. Homeowner’s Insurance (also called Hazard Insurance) – An insurance policy
required of the borrower protecting the property against loss covered by fire, natural
causes or vandalism. It may include additional coverage for liability or theft.
HUD-1 Settlement Statement – A standard form used to disclose costs and fees at
closing
Interest Rate – The rate of interest that is paid to the lender.
Lien – A legal claim against a property.
Loan Balance – The outstanding balance of a loan. In a reverse mortgage it will equal
the principal plus financed fees and costs plus accrued interest.
Loan Conditions – The terms that the lender agrees to make the loan. They can include
the rate, term of loan and any requirements that are needed prior to closing.
Loan Proceeds – Payments to a borrower.
Loan Settlement – Also known as the closing. The conclusion of the mortgage
transaction when all final loan documents are signed.
Loan-To-Value (LTV) – The ratio of the loan amount o the appraised value or sales
price.
Margin – The amount added to the index to calculate the interest rate for a variable rate
loan.
Mortgage – Knows as a “Deed of Trust in some states. This is the lien on the property.
Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) – The fee paid by a borrower to FHA or a private
insure that protect the lender against the risk that the loan balance will exceed the value
of the property.
Note – The agreement that obligates the borrower to repay the loan. In the reverse
mortgage case, the loan is not due to be repaid until the last borrower no longer lives in
the home.
Origination Fee – The fee to the lender for making the loan.
Principal – The amount of the loan, without interest.
Processing – The completion of a mortgage loan application and supporting
documentation.
Rate Cap – The limit of how much the interest rate can change on a variable rate loan.
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12. Refinance – The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan
secured by the same property.
Reverse Mortgage Consultant – The trained and certified reverse mortgage
representative that a potential client consults with about obtaining a reverse mortgage
loan. Also known as a Loan Officer.
Servicing Fee – the fee paid by the borrower to cover the servicing charges and
administrative costs of processing mortgage payments and statements. This fee gets
added to the loan balance each month.
Title – The legal establishment of ownership in a property.
Title Search – An investigation of the title records to ensure who the owner of a property
is and for any liens or encumbrances on the property.
Truth-in-Lending Statement – Required by federal regulations, this expresses the cost
of financing as an annual percentage rate (APR.)
Underwriting – The process of a lender reviewing the application, documentation, and
property prior to rendering a loan decision.
Variable-Rate Mortgage – A loan with an interest rate that changes with market
conditions on pre-determined dates.
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